Legislative Update
 
PUBLIC POLICY
&
ADVOCACY
Like us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterView our profile on LinkedIn
Join us for
An Evening of Wine, Cheese & Chocolate

Thursday, April 16

"Tee Off for Mental Health 2015"

24th Annual Golf Tournament

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Chateau Elan
Braselton, GA

Honorary Chair
MICKEY CHANNEL
Former Chair
House Ways & Means 
Committee


Logo

ADVOCACY UPDATE

March 23, 2015                                                                                

Because there is no health without Mental Health!

Public Policy Update

Monday, March 23, 2015

 

Ellyn Jeager, Director Public Policy & Advocacy

 

The legislature will be in session all this week.  Next week, Tuesday, March 31, will be day 39 and the last day of the session will be Thursday, April 2.  With only a few days left in the session, the committees have very packed agendas.


 

Many of the bills on which I have been reporting have been amended.  An amendment to a bill can be added in committee or on the floor of the House or Senate.  When there is an amendment to a bill, the change must be agreed upon by both the House and Senate.  Final versions of bills that were passed this session will be available on the Legislative website: www.legis.ga.gov.


Bills We Have Been Tracking:

SB 131 - Sponsor: Senator Dugan - Moves Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs) from being "licensed" to being "certified".  This would allow more flexibility as changes to the CSUs need to be made.  STATUS:  This bill passed the House Health & Human Services Committee as amended.


 
HB 1 - Sponsor: Representative Peake - Provides for regulated medical use of cannabis and its derivatives for certain medical conditions. This bill is also known as Haleigh's Law.  STATUS:  Passed the Senate with several amendments.


 
SB 8 & SR 7 -Sponsor: Senator Unterman - Recognizes that sexually exploited children are the victims of a crime and should be treated as victims.  It creates a fund to pay for rehab, housing & treatment under the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund Commission to support such services.  Funds come through additional fines on convicted traffickers and adult entertainment business fees.  STATUS:  Will be heard today (March 24) in the House Juvenile Justice committee.


 
HB 288 - Sponsor: Representative Dempsey - Would add two additional members to serve on the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council.  STATUS:  Senate Health & Human Services Committee


 
SB 1 - Sponsor: Senator Bethel - Would provide coverage for behavioral health treatment for children diagnosed with Autism and are six years old or younger.  It exempts businesses with 10 or fewer employees and mandates a yearly limit of $35,000 in payments. STATUS:  There was a hearing in the Insurance House Committee, but no vote was taken.


 
HB 198 - Sponsor: Representative Dempsey - The Department of Education would require that all certified public school personnel receive annual training in suicide awareness and prevention, and each school system would adopt a policy on student suicide prevention.  STATUS: Passed the Senate.


 
SB 53 - Sponsor: Senator Kirk - Extends the sunset provision for two years to allow licensed professional counselors to certify that a person requires transport and evaluation to involuntary mental health treatment.  STATUS:  This bill has now been signed by the Governor.


 
HB 177 - Sponsor: Representative Wilkerson - Provides for notification that a report on child abuse made by a school employee must receive the findings from the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) within five days.  DFCS must make the report to the school counselor or the school principal whether or not the abuse was confirmed or unconfirmed.  STATUS:  The bill passed the House and is now in Health & Human Services in the Senate.


 
HR 641 - Sponsor: Representative Dempsey - This House Resolution creates a study committee to study children's mental health in Georgia. STATUS:  The Resolution was heard in the House Health & Human Services Committee and passed without any changes.


HB 512 - Sponsor: Representative Jasperse - Redefines the role of the Regional Planning Boards and changes their name to Regional Advisory Councils.  STATUS:  In the Senate Health & Human Services Committee.

TAKE A PROACTIVE STAND!

 

What's the best way to make your voice heard?  Have you been to the Capitol lately?  Being there, seeing your legislator in action or speaking with them directly is the best way to advocate on behalf of our public mental health system. 

 

If you would like to learn more about how to set up your visit and what to do when you are there, please contact Ellyn at 678-904-1965.  She'll be glad to walk you through the process.

We need your help to move our advocacy voice forward!

 

MHA of GA is a leader in the mental health advocacy community. You can learn more on our website, www.mhageorgia.org.
 

 

Your donation will help ensure that MHA of GA continues to keep mental health awareness in front of Georgia's legislators. This is a critical time for our community, and now is the time to act!!

 

Click here to support mental health advocacy in the state of Georgia.